President Obama Visits Savannah

President Barack Obama offered a glimmer of hope for the nation’s handymen and arms of industry that manufacture energy efficient materials, such as windows, doors, heating, solar and air conditioning equipment.

During his visit Tuesday to Savannah Technical College, Obama was well received by standing ovations. He talked to an invitation only group of about 300 local politicians, students, staff, members of the business community and the Longshoreman ILA Local 144 about the most pressing issues facing the state of Georgia and the nation: the disappearance of jobs and job creation.

Obama was greeted at Air Force One by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Savannah Mayor Otis S. Johnson, Brig. General Jeffrey Phillips and Ginger Cucolo, the wife of Major General Tony Cucolo, who is head of the 3rd Infantry Division in Iraq,; and Command Sgt. Major Jeffrey Ashman at Hunter Airfield shortly before noon.

President Obama exiting Air Force One Photo courtesy of D & D Photography “Unemployment in Georgia is still above 10 percent. That doesn’t include folks who’ve had to accept part-time jobs; or in some cases have given up finding a job altogether,’’ Obama said.

``When it comes to domestic policy, I have no more important job as president than seeing to that every American that wants to work and is able to work can find a job,’’ he told the group at Savannah Technical where 200 to

300 students are currently being trained i n trades that might make the Obama administration’s HomeStar program

a success.

“(Job creation) was my focus last year and that is my focus this year,’’ he said, ``to lay a foundation for economic growth that creates jobs.’’

Obama acknowledged that “it's tough out there,’’for people who haven’t found work. He said that he hopes that the HomeStar program may revved up a segment of the economy that needs to get going. Obama’s talk also focused on the Youth Build program at Savannah Technical College and he visited with students who are preparing themselves to be

Audience Members at today’s speech the new workforce in clean energy and construction. He then proposed the “Home-Star” energysaving program – an instant rebate program for home

owners to encourage them to use energy efficient materials and appliances when making improvements in their homes; a program that will not only save the approximately 40% consumption of energy in our homes, but also boost the economy and create more jobs for those companies in the U.S. that produce the materials. The White House estimates that 2-to- 3 million house- holds in the U.S. will participate in the $6 billion program.

Hope Jones,Sheron Morgan and Dr. Dorothy Stoneman His challenge was to embrace the kind of educational training programs that were being offered at Savannah Technical College.

Dr. Dorothy Stoneman, founder of the Youth Build program, which originated in Harlem (New York City) in 1978, applauded the President for supporting the Youth Build programs nation-wide with a 17% increase in funding through the stimulus package. The city of Savannah provides 25% of this funding.

Twenty-five students, former high school dropouts from all across Chatham County between the ages of 16 – 24, are enrolled in the program at Savannah Tech, she said. It is a full ninemonth program where students spend 50% of the time in classes taught at the college in construction management and H-VAC, and 50% of the time utilizing their skills building homes Their current project is at 2112 Love St.

ILA Local 1414 Willie Seymore, Tim Mackey, Greg Eady, Eddie Mc Bride, Jr. Jim Wheeless, Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Technical College lauds the program. He said it provides opportunities for students who need that “second chance” to progress into the future world of work and careers that will be in green energy.

Obama made an indelible impression upon people in the audience.

Patrick Shay (D), a Chatham County Commissioner and also an architect with Gunn Meyerhoff Shay, who along with a select group of businessmen had an audience with the President. Shay described our Obama as a very bright and intelligent leader whom he was glad to meet, but he also mentioned that he was even more glad for us, the American people, that we have a strong and courageous leader for our country.

Gail Eubanks, a spokeswoman for the college, said she the president’s decision to speak at the college where students are learning about the newest technology and trades was a “perfect fit. ..It was very exciting for all of us. When you look at us, we have a focus on workforce development. It was a perfect fit because today he wanted to talk about job development, technology and the economy.” Savannah Technical College trains students to install energy efficient systems, solar panels and insulation.

The new HomeStar program was originally proposed in 2009 during the administration’s economic recovery summit and is funded by the economic stimulus. It offers tax rebates to homeowners who use to the money to weatherize their homes using energy efficient technology. The money can be spent on windows and home heating and air conditioning systems, according to White House documents.

Local businessman Earl Coleman of Coleman’s Repair said he was happy to hear about the HomeStar program because he might be able to add more jobs in the city.

“I thought it was great. We’re going to start as soon as we get things going.’’